Burnley match proves Milner is better back-up left-back than Moreno

Jurgen Klopp understandably plumped for Alberto Moreno when Andy Robertson was ruled out of Wednesday’s trip to Burnley but James Milner’s performance when moved to left back in the second half shows he should be Liverpool’s second choice in that role.

Injuries and fatigue from the Merseyside derby hugely influenced Jurgen Klopp’s team selection for Liverpool’s trip to Burnley on Wednesday night as the German rung the changes.

Andy Robertson was ruled out at left-back, so Klopp called on second choice Alberto Moreno to fill the breach at Turf Moor.

The Spaniard has endured some defensive horror shows in a red jersey but he was solid enough against the Clarets, although he was withdrawn in the second half as Liverpool went in search of a comeback win.

That switch saw James Milner go out to the left hand side of Liverpool’s defence and although he lacks the ability to get down the line and whip balls in, he stretches the play exceptionally well.

(Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

He is also a more diligent defender and put simply, the reasons why Klopp preferred the Englishman over Moreno at left-back for most of the 2016/17 season have not gone away.

The prospect of having Moreno at left-back for any length of time may force Klopp into rushing Robertson back, but having Milner as cover – whether he enjoys the role or not – should ease the German’s fears going into the hectic festive period.